St.Petersburg in Winter

St.Petersburg - city for all seasons. Enjoy winter St.Petersburg. Winter
carnivals with traditional Russian food and drinks,
brilliant Opera and Ballet premiers, dazzling balls
at the city palaces - these are features of Winter
St.Petersburg.

Russian Winter Entertainment Through History

At the early 18th century and the end of the 19th
century St.Petersburg winter life bustled with public entertainment.
Colorful masquerades, outdoor parties in the suburban
residences, carnivals, gorgeous sleighs processions,
imperial balls in the chamber of the palaces impressed
with their pomp and boisterous spirit. Nowhere in
Russia were winter seasons more majestic than St.Petersburg.

Today, traditions of celebrating New Year, Christmas
and Maslenitsa (Russian Carnival) come alive, welcoming
all the world to share them in the banks of the
Neva river and enjoy other events of cultural, sporting
and social life in Winter Saint-Petersburg.

Nearly three centuries ago, among boundless expanses
of snow and desolate dark woods, a new capital of
the Russian state sprang up on the banks of the
majestic Neva. It was here, in Saint-Petersburg,
that the glorious traditions of the Russian Empire
were formed. Imposing palaces arose among the snowy
wilderness, and soon they were bustling with life.

The Tsars' Ball - Reviving
Traditions

Over two centuries, a beautiful ceremony developed
at the Imperial Court, only to be forgotten following
the revolution of 1917. But now, at the beginning
of the new millenium, our traditions are returning,
and once again we have the chance to take part in
this remarkable fete.

It is only in Saint-Petersburg that the glorious
Russian and truly majestic spirit of the bygone
era of the Tsars can be experienced. It was only
quite recently, in historical terms, that the Russian
Tsars lived in the Catherine's
Palace - their summer residence - and the balls,
receptions and celebrations that were held there
astounded the world.